Make a pledge

Your anti-racism pledges

Desmond Tutu said “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” Every day I see institutional racism in the NHS. I pledge to listen, to do my best to understand, to challenge and actively to pursue equality for all.

 - Beki James. Consultant Paediatric Haematologist and Director of Paediatric Stem Cell Transplant, Leeds Children's Hospital

I am of dual heritage, I had a Jamaican Dad. So I have experienced racism. I  pledge to act and show there is no place for racism across our region. I am proud to stand alongside colleagues and root out racism. I would like a pin badge to show my courage to speak up against racist behaviors. I would wear a  pin badge with pride 

- Carla Rose. Dental Sedation Nurse, Community Dental Service

I pledge to take the time to really listen and learn about the lived experience of people and racism, and make sure I am alert to it so that I can call it out.

 - Cathy Schofield, Allied Health Professions Lead, Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust

I pledge to treat all people regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation with the same respect.

 - Zoe Friar, Clinical Trials Assistant, St James University Hospital

I pledged to act and show there is no place for racism across our region. I am proud to stand alongside our colleagues and root out racism. Join us. No barriers, no excuses and only one commitment.

- Simon Phillips, Leeds Jewish Representative Council.

I will lead the ICS to become an anti-racist organisation at the heart of an anti-racism movement.

- Rob Webster CBE, Chief Executive of West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership.

I pledge to taking action to develop a more inclusive workplace culture where people with a diverse range of backgrounds can reach their potential and thrive.

- Suzie Tilburn NHS Wakefield CCG.

Here at Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust, we are doing lots of great work to educate, raise awareness and to root out racism.

- Karen Lai, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust.

This campaign is amazing, would love to take the pledge and proudly wear the badge

– Mohammad Masood, Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust

In my eyes everyone no matter what race you are you are treated with the same respect

- Elaine Helliwell NHS Bradford CCG.

I pledge to assist in the Root out racism campaign by speaking out wherever I witness behaviours, policies and procedures that have racist strands or connotations. I recognise that not everyone feels confident enough to do this and I have always had this strength of character since being at junior school and living in a multicultural estate in Leeds. I will also raise this campaign at our next team catch up to ensure the whole team are aware of this campaign. I have also maintained my own CPD when it comes to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, not just by attending many webinars and reading many papers but also seeking feedback on my own cultural upbringing and seeking feedback on my unconscious bias and being open to hearing that feedback and actively working on that. I would be proud to wear a pin badge to show that I am in support of the Root out racism campaign and also open to being an ally to support my colleagues who are subjected to racist behaviours and processes.

- Simone Cleeve Clinical Governance Team Admin Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust

My pledge is a zero tolerance and to stand up to negative behaviours towards racism. And to support my colleagues holistically, emotionally and with respect at all times. I have seen the MASSIVE negative impact it has on colleagues and it has to stop! NOW!

- Clare Walkinshaw, NHS Bradford CCG

I pledge to challenge and show there is no place for racism across our region. I am proud to stand alongside my colleagues and root out and challenge racism wherever it occurs. Racism and racist behaviour should have no place in our society I pledge a continued commitment to challenging racism wherever and whenever it occurs.

- Steve Blackman, CEO Volunteering Bradford

I hope that I will always stand up to overt racism from others. However, it’s not just the blatant racism that people have to deal with, day in and day out, but the whispers, the comments, the looks. As a GP, and as a human being, I need to address my own language, microaggressions and subconscious bias, to ensure that I am supportive of all my patients and colleagues, no matter what their skin colour, ethnicity or cultural background. I also have to call it out when I see this behaviour in others. Jo Cox famously said, “have far more in common that that which divides us”, and this is true, but we also need to celebrate our diversity, the differences that make us unique and special, without fear of bigotry and attack. I pledge to do just that.

- Dr Cathy Hart, Affinity Care, Sunnybank Medical Centre

I pledge to do all I can to root out racism by supporting colleagues and patients through the NHS Zero Tolerance policy, by informing people who act in a discriminatory way towards staff or patients that their behaviour is not acceptable and letting them know of the consequences of their actions.

- Jude Faulkner, Affinity Care, Sunnybank Medical Centre

Following seeing the launch on social media of the #WYHRootOutRacism campaign, team WYLP pledge to act and show there is no place for racism across our region.

– Beth Vickers, West & North Yorkshire Learning Providers (WYLP)

I will not stand by and condone remarks and actions I know are wrong: I will call it out and I pledge my support to ensure the people and organisations I work for and with do their best too.

- Dr Sara Humphrey , Affinity Care

I pledge to have zero tolerance against racism, and to always challenge racist speech and behaviours. I pledge to educate myself about racism in modern society and pass this education on to others.

- Alexandra Houseago.

I pledge, as part of the equity and inclusion team at Mind in Bradford to tackle systemic, institutional and casual racism. This will be done by challenging racism on a strategic and grassroots level.

- Masira Hans, Mind in Bradford

I pledge to educate people on what racism is on my social networks. I will make sure to show that racism isn't just isolated incidents but a structural problem which affects people's life chances.

- Rebecca Pountney, Affinity Care, The Willows medical centre

I pledge to act and show there is no place for racism across our region.

- Alison Conn, Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service

I would like to receive a pin badge in order to raise awareness around racism within my workplace.

- Heena Parmar, South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation

I stand united hand in hand with everyone to Root out Racism forever.

- Kath Helliwell NHS Bradford District and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)

I pledge to always stand strong in rooting out racism and to always speak up in supporting anti-racism through all aspects of life.

– Joanne Rothery, West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership

Racism is not acceptable, there are no excuses for it, it needs to be addressed and I would like to wear a pin badge to demonstrate this

- Anna Hill, Shipley Medical Practice

I’m currently completing an Allyship programme to help understand racism in the workplace and how to ensure everyone is treated the same and included.

- Michelle Eaglen, Middleton Healthcentre

I pledge to challenge racism within systems and racist behaviour when safe to do so. I will continue to reflect on my own socialisation, values and beliefs to try recognise and overcome racism within myself.

- Angela Dillon, Leeds Community Health Care

I support the stance to root out racism

- Ruth Greenfield, Ilkley Moor Medical Practice

I pledge to support the movement to stamp, root out & destroy racism. I pledge to speak out against racism, to ignore excuses for any racist behaviour and to actively seek to challenge and change such attitudes and behaviours. I pledge to be part of the step toward meaningful and real change. I pledge show there is no place for racism anywhere and will proudly stand alongside my colleagues, friends and family to root out all forms of racism. 

- Emma J Robinson,North Yorkshire County Council.

I pledge to ensure there is a culture of mutual respect within my team and speak out where I witness behaviours of racism. Together we will root out racism, if we all work together

- Dawn Greaves, West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership / West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts.

I pledge to always stand alongside the BAME community, to always speak up if I witness racism and to continue to educate myself on the injustices the BAME community face.

- Rosie Jasper, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust.

I pledge to use zero tolerance regarding racism within my place of work

– Karen Wood, Sunnybank Medical Centre.

My pledge is a zero tolerance and to stand up to negative behaviours towards racism. And to support my colleagues holistically, emotionally and with respect at all times. I have seen the MASSIVE negative impact it has on colleagues and it has to stop! NOW!

- Clare Walkinshaw, NHS Bradford CCG.

As a recent participant of the Leeds Community Healthcare Trust BAME Allyship Programme I pledge to look for racism and openly challenge it at all times in order to contribute to rooting it out. I will wear my badge with utter pride.

- Shelagh Davenport, Leeds Community Healthcare Trust.

I pledge to always consider what racism most feel like to my colleagues, friends and family and to be a good ally to them always

- Karen Coleman, West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership.

I’ve never really experienced overt racism, or have I…?? If I’m honest I know that I have both directly and indirectly. In some ways I’ve come to live with and expect it, because that’s just how it is. I’m a minority. I’m brown. I might not sound different and use an abbreviated version of my name. Why? So that I fit in, accepted, not attract unwarranted attention, not racially abused. Fear is a strong motivator. But I’m proud of who I am including my heritage, upbringing and beliefs. I am also driven to do the ‘right thing’. The right thing here is to stand up, be heard, be brave and face my fears.

- Sal Uka, West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYATT) Medical Lead 

I hereby pledge to be an ally to my BAME colleagues and to try my best to make a positive contribution towards changing attitudes and challenging inappropriate behaviour inside and outside of my place of work

– Kat Simmons, Harrogate District Hospital

My pledge is to celebrate diversity, and to make sure my words and actions never to leave anyone in any doubt that I am anti-racist.

- Rachel Carter, NHS Kirklees Clinical Commissioning Group

I pledge that I will be an ally and voice for ethnic minority staff and patients on the Board of Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust, be an advocate for our bame staff experience plan, and within both MYHT and the WYH system be a passionate supporter of becoming an anti-racist organisation.

- Mahmud Nawaz, Mid-Yorkshire Hospital Trust

I pledge to provide a safe space to those facing racial discrimination so that my colleagues can speak about this without hesitation. I will be open to and led by information from those who have experienced racial discrimination and validate their experiences. It shouldn’t be up to victims of racism to challenge discrimination or to do this alone, so I pledge to directly confront all forms of racism put the responsibility on the abusers to change their behaviour.

– Esther Hernandez, Leeds Community NHS Healthcare Trust

“As a NHS employee and a citizen of West Yorkshire, I will continue to help  others without a voice to speak up and speak out on the negative behaviours that impact them. I will also pledge to  help engage and  educate all about the importance of this work  for the benefits  of all our colleagues, friend, families and the  communities we serve”

- James Forrest, Leeds Community Health Trust Race Equality Network

As a recent participant of the Leeds Community Healthcare Trust BAME Allyship Programme I pledge to look for racism and openly challenge it at all times in order to contribute to rooting it out. I will wear my badge with utter pride.

- Shelagh Davenport RGN RHV, Leeds Community Healthcare Trust

I pledge to use zero tolerance regarding racism within my place of work

– Karen Wood, Sunnybank Medical Centre

I pledge to always stand alongside the BAME community, to always speak up if I witness racism and to continue to educate myself on the injustices the BAME community face.

– Rosie Jasper, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust

I totally support the pledge and I want to be an agent of change

- Nafula Misiko, Leeds Community Healthcare Trust

 I pledge to act and show there is no place for racism. To stand in solidarity with my colleagues and to challenge racist behaviours. 

- Jennifer Majaha, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

I pledge to root out racism, to stand up and call out racism in all forms when I see it take place and help support the action to have a zero tolerance to racism for myself and colleagues.

- Mubashire Fazlee, South West Yorkshire Partnership Foundation Trust

I pledge to challenge racism it all its forms and learn from people’s lived experiences.

- Hashim Mulla, Locala Health & Welbeing

I will support the root out racism movement by listening to and learning from people with lived experience of racism.

- Joanne Vaghan, Locala Health & Wellbeing

I pledge to stand alongside the BAME community, to educate myself and strive to do better. To speak up if I witness racism and if I encounter racist policies or systems.

- Sarah Forrest, Kirklees Council

 

I pledge, as an NHS leader, to commit to root out racism where it is found and build instead a community where everyone can thrive. At Leeds Teaching Hospitals we’re doing this by bringing out into the open the often unspoken barriers that keep us apart. We’re building trust, we’re listening to each other’s stories, and we’re committing to make our Trust discrimination-free and the best place to work for all.

 

- Jenny Lewis, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

I  pledge to root out racism by listening and learning from colleagues and friends with lived experiences and by challenging things I know to be wrong.

- Charlotte Collinson, Locala Health & Wellbeing 

 

I pledge to challenge racism wherever and whenever l encounter it. I stand with and in support of the many colleagues and patients  l have worked with. You have taught me so much, Thank you. 

- Esther Dalton, GP Trainer, St Martins Practice

 

Racism should play no part in our society. I am working hard to ensure that I am better informed and actively anti-racist.

-  Diane Law, Excel Youth Coordinator Highfield Community Association

 

On International Nurses Day Overgate Hospice are proud to pledge the following:

Overgate Hospice is an anti-racist organisation. We will not and do not tolerate racism. It is not enough that we are not racist.  If we see something wrong, we must actively say something. If we face abuse, we will not accept it. If we see someone else being abused, we will not ignore it. Unacceptable language or behaviour towards others has no place in our culture, in our community or our workplaces. We encourage all to speak up, call it out and reject it. We want colleagues, service users and carers to feel supported and safe, irrespective of their protected characteristics (sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy/maternity, marital/civil partnership status, age, belief/religion, disability,  or race including colour, nationality, ethnic/national origin)   Each and every individual who passes through our doors is valued and respected. We are proud of our diverse workforce and the care we provide to everyone, no matter their background. We will play our part in creating a society free from discrimination and a workplace that is safe, happy and where everybody can thrive. There is more to do, but with the help of our colleagues, volunteers, service users and partners, we can achieve equality for all. Let’s continue to be actively anti-racist and work together for a better future for all.  #WYHRootOutRacism

Tracey Wilcocks, Director of Clinical Services, Overgate Hospice

 

We at Bradford 2025 pledge to do everything we can to root out racism – we will speak out against racist behaviours and do everything we can to be a anti racist company.

 Bradford 2025